Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

School Enrolments

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

57. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department has failed to cater for the increased demand at a school (details supplied) in County Sligo for places at infants class, when the stated aim of this Government is to promote the active usage of the Irish language; his views on whether such a failure is a missed opportunity to have more Irish persons begin their learning in the medium of Irish rather than English; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23429/14]

Weight of Schoolbags

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

249. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills in reference to the report by a working group in 1998, which recommended that no child carry over 10% of his or her body weight, yet children are carrying books and backpacks three times their weight, the reason this is not implemented in practice in all educational institutions here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22658/14]

Cable Licensing

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

496. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if commercial cable companies need a licence to place cables on private property, including private residential properties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22753/14]

Arts Funding

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

135. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a percentage of the funding being made available for the development of water treatment in Castlerea, County Roscommon, is being set aside for the arts (details supplied); and if so, the process for disbursing any such funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22119/14]

Water Services Funding

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

158. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a percentage of the funding being made available for the development of water treatment facilities in Castlerea, County Roscommon, is being set aside for the arts (details supplied); if so, the process for disbursing any such funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22118/14]

Motor Insurance Regulation

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

189. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance what part of Government is responsible for regulating car insurance companies; if a financial-insurance company is incorporated in another jurisdiction, what powers the Central Bank or Financial Regulator have in overseeing what they do, in particular accessing their solvency; if any measures have been put in place to prevent another insurance company from collapsing and leaving its clients without insurance cover or a refund of the premium paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21158/14]

School Transport Administration

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

259. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the statement on page 174 of the FGS report (details supplied) and the fact that his answer to Parliamentary Question No. 55 of 10 April 2014 states that the FGS report did not identify any such services where Bus Éireann was paid sums in excess of those amounts, the action he will take in respect of the officials who withheld this information to Dáil Éireann, which gives the wrong impression that no sums were paid in excess by his Department to Bus Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21351/14]

Environmental Regulations

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

450. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the reason an Irish company attempting to develop a concrete sceptic treatment tank has to send their product to Germany for EN standards approval at a cost of over €30,000 for tanks in their range of products; if he will consider setting up an accredited testing facility here as some universities are already in a position to support such a facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20884/14]

Health Services

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

592. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm the number of H1N1 swine flu cases here; the steps his Department have taken to monitor swine flu in our hospitals; if nursing and medical staff have been trained to diagnose swine flu; if he will examine a case admitted to NUIG hospital (details supplied) and the reason the patient spent three and a half hours waiting for an ambulance for transfer to Crumlin hospital; the reason the crèche at which this child attended was not notified of the swine flu diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21070/14]

Prisoner Privacy

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

155. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on alleged interception of prisoners' phone calls; the role the Prison Service played in these alleged interceptions; if he was aware of the alleged interceptions; if so, the actions he took; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20510/14]

Public Sector Staff Recruitment

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

207. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether an anomaly has been created by the recent temporary clerical officer 2014 competition, in that it impacts on the already successful candidates from the existing established clerical officer panel created by Civil Service clerical officer competition number 07/089/10; this anomaly arises because of the Government moratorium on public sector appointments which has been compounded now by the insertion of a clause in this year’s term time clerical officer 2014 competition that may allow in certain circumstances some successful candidates to be invited for further assessment to fill a few clerical officer roles on a permanent basis later; furthermore since the old competition has not expired, there could now exist two pools of candidates to fill any of the appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20298/14]

Agriculture Scheme Administration

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

160. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the provisions in place to assist those who suffer from dyslexia when completing paperwork in respect of farm records, grants and so on; his views having the access officers within his Department trained in dealing with those who suffer from dyslexia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19804/14]

Physical Education

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

155. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the procurement and tendering procedures used by the PDST in determining what tablets were to be used on the Department's initiative Points for Life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18927/14]

Physical Education

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

156. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total cost of tablets used in the Points for Life initiative in his Department; if the Department received any sponsorship of these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18928/14]

Physical Education

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

159. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the usage of iPads is endorsed by the Points for Life initiative which is part of the PDST programme and the reason usage of Microsoft Surface tablets has not been endorsed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18942/14]

Physical Education

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

162. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department does not endorse or promote any product for use in schools as his Points for Life initiative gets schools to sign an acknowledgement that they are using PDST owned iPads for the initiative and that they remain as part of the PDST which is fully funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19010/14]

Climate Change Policy

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

221. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in regard to his recent statement that climate change deniers need to be swept aside, if he is aware that everyone accepts that the climate has been, is and always will be changing, though there are many, including eminent climatologists and scientists, who question whether that change is anthropological, or man-made; the way in which he will sweep these people aside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19223/14]

Non-Principal Private Residence Charge Administration

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

481. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there are many outstanding moneys to be paid by those owning holiday properties and penalties are accumulating on these charges which have now been abolished; if he will refund those moneys that have been charged to persons who own holiday properties here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19233/14]

Generic Drugs Substitution

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

804. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if the efficacy of generic drugs is as good as the drugs produced under patent by pharmaceutical companies; his views on whether those on medical cards who are forced to accept generic drugs will have the same level of treatment as those using pharmaceutical drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19015/14]

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

962. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the inadequate, short window made for taxi owners to sell their licences, from 1 April 2014 to 4 April 2014; his views on whether the taxi industry was given sufficient notice for members to sell licences; if he will agree to re-opening the window for a month or eight weeks for the sale of taxi licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19645/14]

Government Bonds

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

61. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he has investigated the effect on the State's finances of the Central Bank of Ireland accelerating its disposal of the Irish Government bonds in its investment account; if he has further investigated the potential effect on the State's finances of such an accelerated disposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18328/14]

School Textbooks

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

61. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 231 of 8 April 2014, in view of the fact that he has accepted that there is no need for workbooks in schools, if he has told teachers to discontinue the use of these workbooks which are a significant expense and burden on parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18173/14]

School Textbooks

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

64. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 8 April 2014, in view of the fact that all boards of management that have been encountered are unaware that the decision on whether to use workbooks is for them to make, if he will ensure that all boards of management are notified that this is a decision for them to make and that it is not a matter for teaching staff; when communicating this responsibility to boards of management, if he will ensure that they are reminded, in such communication, of the significant costs of these workbooks and the burden on parents and to keep these considerations in mind when addressing this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18181/14]

School Curriculum

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

73. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 232 of 8 April 2014, where he states that schools also will respond in various ways to meet the diverse needs of pupils and to ensure that the history curriculum reflects the local environment and experiences of the local community in the past, the way the curriculum will differ for students studying in Castlerea and those studying in Ballaghaderreen; the person responsible for providing the various curricula for the various localities; if he has set up some sort of local rights commission that will draw the boundaries of the localities to which specific curricula are applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18236/14]

Departmental Correspondence

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

140. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence further to Question No. 479 of 8 April 2014, in which he stated that he was satisfied that there are statutory and administrative procedures in place in the Department to address any reports of allegations of wrongdoing, if he will clarify, bearing in mind the recent failures of communication between those working in direct and close proximity to him, whether he is satisfied that the existing procedures are adequate; the reason for the recent failures of communication between him and his immediate subordinates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18172/14]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

172. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with his counterpart, Minister Hammond, in the UK in order to seek an exemption for the A5 in Northern Ireland and that this exemption would facilitate the commerce and trade between Republic of Ireland to Republic of Ireland HGV traffic when transiting through the Six Counties; the way in which this would operate as the A5 route cannot be accessed by hauliers coming from Donegal without first having to travel on a contributory road; if these contributory roads are also to be made exempt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18182/14]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

173. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 192 of 9 April 2014, he touched upon HGV operators relocating to other jurisdictions; if he is doing all in their power to sustain these much needed jobs and avert any loss of revenue to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18184/14]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

174. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 192 of 9 April 2014 if he will clarify what happens in the event of a road closure or accident on the A5 route should traffic be diverted, as is often the case; the way a situation like this will affect HGV operators who have not paid the levy; in such an event, it may not have been a haulier's intention to use any other road but the A5, but due to said diversion must now travel on an alternative route; the way this affects them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18185/14]

School Transport Provision

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

232. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 101 of 3 October 2013, when asked to explain return to risk, if he will confirm the date on which and the reasons for the decision; the reason he agreed to a return to risk element with Bus Éireann for the payment to Bus Éireann for the school transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17501/14]

Land Reclassification

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

517. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will make public the scheme of trust for the Laurencetown cow park and sports field trust; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17398/14]

EU Regulations

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

529. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the relevant article or articles in Council Regulation 504/2008 which authorise the Irish implementing rule, as enacted by Article 5(4) of SI No. 357 of 2011 European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011 (as amended); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17920/14]

Motorised Transport Grant Applications

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

572. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when he will reinstate the motorised transport grant; if he will be allocating a budget for the same grant; if he will look into the situation of a person (detail supplied) in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17339/14]

School Transport Provision

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

56. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the longest waiting times and travelling times and the total times for pupils of different age categories for primary school and post-primary schools within which Bus Éireann are obliged to carry children to and from schools; the commencement times, end times, travelling times and waiting times; and if he will answer in sufficient detail and form to enable pupils and parents to see if there is compliance; the penalties that are imposed on Bus Éireann for breach of these obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16876/14]

School Transport Provision

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

57. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form a list of routes or landing boards giving the route number, the first pick up point and terminus point that have had longer waiting times and travel times totals for whatever reason than the agreed times; the number of days that the service was outside the agreed times that children have to be brought to and from schools for each category for primary school and post-primary schools within the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16878/14]

School Transport Provision

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

58. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form for schools in County Roscommon for the school years, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 in respect of minibus, medium bus and large bus as a category, the list of routes-landing boards giving the route number and first pick up point and terminus point; the route distances in kilometres; the maximum number of pupils on each route; the maximum waiting times that occur for each route; the average waiting times for each route; the maximum travelling times that occur for each route and the average travelling times for each route and show the national averages for comparative purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16880/14]

School Transport Provision

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

60. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the Ombudsman’s ruling in dealing with school transport that there is an onus on public bodies to provide fair and transparent procedures and that the current system regarding the pickup density of pupils in a distinct locality is decided on a basis without an objective published criterion or any rule to define a distinct locality for ten pupils in an area at the personal discretion of Bus Éireann employee and that his Department’s website indicates that a distinct locality is simply what Bus Éireann says it is and in order to comply with the ombudsman’s ruling the action he will take on that matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16895/14]

School Transport Provision

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

71. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will indicate in tabular form for schools in County Roscommon from the financial year 2010 onwards regarding the school transport scheme in respect of children with special needs as a single category; the average number of pupils carried; the total number carried; the cost per pupil on an average basis; the cost per pupil on total number basis; the breakdown between taxi costs and attendant cost; the percentage cost increase or decrease per child for the period on a yearly basis; the national averages for comparative purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16967/14]

School Transport Provision

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

72. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will indicate for schools in County Roscommon for the school years, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 in respect of minibus, medium bus and large bus as a category, the list of routes; the route distances; the maximum number of pupils on each route; the maximum waiting times that occur for each route; the average waiting times for each route; the national averages for comparative purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16968/14]

School Transport Provision

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

73. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the Ombudsman’s ruling in dealing with school transport that there is an onus on public bodies to provide fair and transparent procedures and that the current system regarding the pickup density of pupils in a distinct locality is decided on an arbitrary basis without an objective criterion or any rule to define a distinct locality for ten pupils in some vague notional area at the whim of someone and it seems therefore that a "distinct locality" is simply what a Bus Éireann inspector says it is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16969/14]

School Transport Provision

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

74. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will arrange to publish a route plan for all schools in County Roscommon as if all eligible pupils based on distance criteria would be catered for and separately regardless of distance and invite applications and provide a service over a two-year test period based on cost per pupil and see by way of a national test what the take-up of the service would be and calculate the impact on traffic, national savings for the economy to have school transport as opposed to private transport costs, travelling times and waiting times for the children based on increased number and more direct routes and less traffic and the cost per pupil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16970/14]

Road Tolls

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

192. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the new HGV road levy which came into effect on 1 April 2014 in the UK and Northern Ireland; if his attention has been drawn to the impact that this levy will have on haulage companies and other HGV users; if he is aware that due to the very high road tax on HGV vehicles in Ireland and the new HGV road levy, that many companies are now moving to Northern Ireland and that this will result in a significant loss of revenue to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16902/14]

Legal Matters

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

51. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form the number of judicial review cases issued in past four years handled by the Office of the Chief State Solicitor; the number of cases where the Office of the Chief State Solicitor directed the entity to assist affected members of the public obtain reasons for decisions by assisting or offering to assist them make a section 18 of the Freedom of Information Act application under obligations imposed on officials under Freedom of Information Regulations 519/1998 Act prior to proceedings being issued by the person and taking into account the injustice and the cost of legal proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16157/14]

Legal Matters

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

52. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide in tabular form the number of judicial review cases issued in past four years handled by the Office of the Chief State Solicitor and the number of cases where the public entity assisted affected members of the public obtain reasons for decisions by assisting or offering to assist them make a section 18 of the Freedom of Information Act application under obligations imposed on officials under Freedom of Information Regulations 519/1998 Act prior to proceedings being issued by the person and taking the injustice and the cost of legal proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16163/14]

Legal Matters

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

53. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Taoiseach if the Office of the Chief State Solicitor has with regard to the Prevention of Corruption Act a Code of guidance in place for its solicitors to disclose information to the Garda Síochána who are the proper authorities to investigate crime about public officials under section 19 of the Criminal Justice Act 2011 who have improperly withheld information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16164/14]

Legal Matters

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

54. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Taoiseach if the Chief State Solicitor is aware that the EU Commission state aid investigation C31/07 was told that Bus Éireann operated the school transport scheme under contract; if this is the case if he will ask the Chief State Solicitor the reason this information was not disclosed to the Garda Síochána by virtue of the Prevention of Corruption Act and section 19 of the Criminal Justice Act 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16165/14]

EU Issues

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

57. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Taoiseach the amount the Blue Star programme costs; the percentage of this cost borne by the Irish taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16270/14]

Departmental Correspondence

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

58. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Taoiseach if he will ensure that when a communication in relation to wrongdoing is received in his Department that the communication will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that the function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16298/14]

Departmental Correspondence

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

73. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ensure that when a communication in relation to wrongdoing is received in his Department that the communication will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that the function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17105/14]

Central Bank of Ireland

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

99. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if the first bond has been sold yet by the Central Bank this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16222/14]

Central Bank of Ireland

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

100. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if the €3.06 billion bond to cover the 2012 promissory note has been sold yet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16223/14]

State Debt

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

101. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of interest the €25 billion we borrowed to buy off the promissory notes is costing us this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16236/14]

State Debt

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

102. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance the amount of interest the €25 billion we borrowed to buy off the promissory notes cost us in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16237/14]

State Debt

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

103. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance as the new sovereign bonds from the €25 billion in bonds that were issued to the Central Bank on 8 February 2013 are sold off, the amount in interest projected to be paid on an annual basis, for as far into the future as those projections have been made, to the EU fund from which the €25 billion was borrowed and as coupon to the private investors who purchase those bonds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16238/14]

Central Bank of Ireland

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

104. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify what will happen to the €500 million that will be taken in by the Central Bank of Ireland when the first bond is sold this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16239/14]

Central Bank of Ireland

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

105. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will clarify what will happen to the subsequent €24.5 billion taken in by the Central Bank of Ireland as the remaining bonds are sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16240/14]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

174. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure that when a communication in relation to wrongdoing is received in his Department, it will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected personally to exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring the function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17104/14]

Information and Communications Technology

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

225. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 27 February 2014, the reason the professional development service for teachers is sanctioning the use and purchase of iPads by students, when a much cheaper and more useful tablet is available on which one can use Microsoft Office applications and study for ECDL and many other computer courses, unlike the iPad, which is not compatible with the most common applications such as Word and Excel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16652/14]

Information and Communications Technology

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

226. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 140 of 11 March 2014, when teachers can choose a tablet such as the Microsoft Surface 2 which is, compatible with Microsoft Office applications such as, Word, Excel and Powerpoint, can be used for ECDL examination preparation and training for teachers and students and can be used for learning of visual basic, C sharp and C++ programming and SQL database language, but instead, the teachers choose a toy fashion accessory, the Apple iPad, at twice the cost to parents, and which cannot be used for any of the aforementioned learning, is the Professional Development Service for Teachers (Technology in Education) completely neutral in respect of this damaging choice by teachers; his views that this is a damaging decision and one on which he will take immediate action to rectify and in order to prevent further damage to the prospects and opportunities of our students and in order to minimise expense to parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16653/14]

School Textbooks

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

227. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date of the decision to use workbooks in national primary schools; the persons involved in this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16654/14]

School Textbooks

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

229. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 141 of 11 March 2014, regarding decisions on the use of workbooks, in his answer on the use of textbooks, quotes what he calls, The Guidelines that accompany the Primary School Curriculum, 1999, which state that it should be noted that textbooks, of their very nature, cannot adequately cover local history studies and should therefore be regarded as only one source among many for the teaching of history; the resource that students will rely on for their learning of local history, bearing in mind that most history teachers are not natives of the places in which they teach; with this new emphasis on local history, if the cutback in other history teaching will be that of national or European history or will there be an increase in the hours spent teaching history; with the new emphasis on local history, his views that, for example, Roscommon or Sligo people would be less interested in Humbert’s arrival in Killala than Mayo people, or that Dublin people would have no interest in the Battle of the Boyne; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16657/14]

School Textbooks

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

230. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 141 of 11 March 2014, regarding decisions on the use of workbooks, in which he stated that the Education Act, 1998, places a responsibility on boards of management to manage the school on behalf of the patron of the school and for the benefit of the students and parents, and to provide or cause to be provided an appropriate education for each student at the school, boards of management, in exercising their function to ensure that an appropriate education is provided for students, have the authority to determine school policy on this matter, it seems clear, that he is saying that boards of management have the authority to determine school policy on this matter, however in the next sentence he states that, teachers under the guidance of the senior management of the school must make decisions on the textbooks or workbooks to be used in line with the school policy determined by the board, if he will explain, whether it is the board of management or the teachers who determine whether or not workbooks are used in a school in the event of a disagreement between the board of management and the teachers as to whether these workbooks should or should not be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16659/14]

School Textbooks

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

231. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 141 of 11 March 2014, in which he states that, he is conscious of the additional costs that may have to be borne by parents if workbooks are used extensively in schools and the Guidelines for Developing Textbook Rental Schemes in Schools, published by my Department in 2012, to outline a number of strategies that can be used to obviate the need for such workbooks; the definitions of the word "obviate" in my Concise Oxford Dictionary are, "clear away, get rid of, get round, neutralise"; subsumed in his answer is the belief, on his part, that there is a need for these workbooks; the reason he considers that there is a need for these workbooks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16661/14]

School Textbooks

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

232. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 141 of 11 March 2014, in which he states that, the Guidelines that accompany the Primary School Curriculum, 1999 acknowledge that carefully selected textbooks may play a role in supporting the implementation of the curriculum but they also warn against an over-reliance on textbooks, stating, for example, in regard to history, that it should be noted that textbooks, of their very nature, cannot adequately cover local history studies and should therefore be regarded as only one source among many for the teaching of history, he has already stated publicly that, for example in County Wexford, students should be taught about Vinegar Hill, his views on whether different history is taught in different parts of the country and whether the landing of Humbert in Killala is of interest to and should be taught only to County Mayo people, or that the Siege of Limerick, should only be taught to County Limerick people; his views on whether there is a need for authoritative and well reviewed textbooks for students as a need to overcome the shortcomings of the many awful and inadequate history teachers; his views on whether there is a need for authoritative and well reviewed textbooks for students in order to ensure that there is consistency in the teaching of history throughout the country and that there can be no disadvantages arising for students of a particular area when taking examinations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16662/14]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

239. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that when a communication in relation to wrongdoing is received in his Department, the communication will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that the function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17102/14]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

256. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will ensure that when a communication in relation to wrongdoing is received in his Department, the communication will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that the function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17109/14]

Departmental Correspondence

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

274. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will ensure that when a communication in relation to wrongdoing is received in his Department that the communication will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that the function is exercised;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17107/14]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

337. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will ensure that when a communication in respect of wrongdoing is received in his Department, it will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that said function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17099/14]

Ministerial Responsibilities

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

351. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will ensure that when a communication in respect of wrongdoing is received in his Department, it will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that said function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17100/14]

Election Management System

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

367. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if the positions of invigilator at polling stations for the European and local elections 2014 can be filled by those on the live register of unemployed; his views on whether this would be a positive, if small, step to include those who are currently excluded from work and income in our society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16125/14]

National Roads Authority Remit

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

371. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding correspondence being issued by Laois County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16230/14]

Water Services Provision

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

386. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government with regard to the setting up of Irish Water, what will become of those water schemes that currently own their own infrastructure but get their water from a local authority; the way they will be charged for the water they distribute through pipelines that they developed and installed themselves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16523/14]

Departmental Correspondence

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

412. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ensure that when a communication in relation to wrongdoing is received in his Department it will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that the function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17103/14]

Departmental Correspondence

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

470. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will ensure that when a communication on wrongdoing is received in his Department the communication will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that the function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17108/14]

Departmental Correspondence

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

479. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence if he will ensure that when a communication on wrongdoing is received in his Department the communication will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that the function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17101/14]

Departmental Correspondence

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

514. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that when a communication in relation to wrongdoing is received in his Department the communication will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that the function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17098/14]

Medicinal Products Availability

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

662. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 566 of 11 February 2014 where the Health Service Executive stated that currently clients with medical cards can avail of continence products, therefore any client on disability allowance who also has a medical card is deemed eligible; the year in which this commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16645/14]

Hospital Charges

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

663. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 566 of 11 February 2014, where the Health Service Executive stated (details supplied); if he will clarify in regard to the the class 1 and class 2 charges when they are applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16646/14]

Departmental Correspondence

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

691. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that when a communication on wrongdoing is received in his Department that the communication will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to exercise personally the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that the function is exercised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17106/14]

Departmental Correspondence

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

744. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure that when a communication in relation to wrongdoing is received in his Department that the communication will be deemed to have come to his attention; if he will confirm that, while he is not expected to personally exercise the function of dealing with wrongdoing, he is responsible for ensuring that the function is exercised;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17111/14]

Ministerial Travel

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

24. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make known the full costs of sending Ministers and Ministers of State to foreign lands to mark St. Patrick's Day; if he will point to any other nation that does similar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10352/14]

National Lottery Franchises

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

94. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the national lottery franchises are being closed down in rural areas; if this is a purely economic decision; if so, his views on whether this decision will disenfranchise citizens who live in remote areas; if he agrees that where a national lottery franchise is lost that the loss in itself will lead to even further erosion of facilities to those who live in rural Ireland; if he agrees that where a business combines lotto, post office and a general shop that the withdrawal of the lotto franchise will put such businesses under further strain (details supplied); the reason no explanation was given to long-term franchisees for withdrawal of the franchise; the appeals process available to such franchisees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15787/14]

Fish Landings

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

203. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm the figures given by a person (details supplied) to the Committee of Public Accounts stating that the value of fish stocks taken from Irish waters between 1975 and 2010 by all member states of the EU was €201 billion, only €17 billion worth of which was caught and processed by Irish fishermen and processors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15753/14]

Road Tolls

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

251. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason drivers are being charged full motorway toll prices when the road is being operated as a dual carriageway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15448/14]

Community Development Initiatives

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

380. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide details of the financial allocations to community fora for the year 2014; his plans for alterations to the role and functions of those community fora during the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15274/14]

Ministerial Travel

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

455. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide clarification as to what exactly was involved in the US customs pre-clearance carried out at Dublin Airport before the departure of the ministerial air transport flight on 16 March 2008; if this procedure involved US custom officials boarding the Irish Government aircraft and asking the aircraft crew any questions or checking the list of passengers; if a similar US customs pre-clearance is still carried out at Dublin Airport prior to ministerial air transport flights to the USA; if so, the reason no similar procedure applied to US military aircraft transiting through or arriving at Irish airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15342/14]

Equine Industry

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

468. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine pursuant to article 5(4) of SI 357 of the European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011, as amended, which requires issuing bodies to mark part II of section IX of the passport for equines identified outside the time limits as not intended for human consumption, if he will confirm the number of foals that were born in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, that were stamped or marked out in accordance with article 5(4) of SI 357 of 2011; if he will provide a breakdown of that number between the various issuing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14953/14]

Road Safety

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

633. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider making it mandatory for dash cameras to be attached to the front and rear of all motor vehicles to monitor and regulate speeding and ensure safer driving conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15038/14]

Ministerial Transport

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

148. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence if the Government executive jet operated by the Defence Forces was searched this year before it took An Taoiseach to Washington for the St. Patrick's Day ceremony, as happened on 16 March 2008; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14260/14]

Shannon Airport Facilities

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

162. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that US soldiers carry their rifles while on board planes using Shannon Airport; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a US Air Force plane which landed at Shannon Airport was equipped with a 30 mm cannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13612/14]

Flood Relief Schemes Funding

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

403. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 214 and 215 of 10 December 2013, if he will clarify whether he was referring to the Athleague Flood Alleviation Committee, or to the River Suck Joint Drainage Committee in his answers; if he will explain what the €270,000 was spent on; if he will give an assurance that any future allocations of money to the prevention of flooding in Athleague will be spent on Athleague and not on other issues in County Roscommon; if he will consider coming to Athleague to view what the €270,000 achieved in terms of infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13153/14]

JobsPlus Scheme

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

518. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason single mothers who want to work cannot work under the JobsPlus scheme (details supplied), as they are not considered unemployed until their child is of seven years of age and are thus the recipient of a single parent payment and deemed not eligible to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13519/14]

Renewable Energy Exports

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

608. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason the report study on the viability and cost-benefit analysis for Ireland of exporting renewable electricity (RES-E) using the Co-operation Mechanism in Directive 2009/28/EC has not been made public; his views that under the Aarhus Convention this report should be made available to the public and to the groups opposing the building of large windmills in the midlands and other parts of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13287/14]

Planning Issues

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

622. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will attend the oral hearing into the Government's latest energy project for north Mayo, the proposed Owenniny and Cluddaun wind farms which proposes 160 turbines larger than any existing onshore in Ireland, or the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13707/14]

Defence Forces Retirement Scheme

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

833. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence when he will reply to the claim submitted by PDFORRA to his Department regarding the issue of extending privates and corporals beyond 21 years service in the Defence Forces; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the cost to the Exchequer will be greater than if these men and women were to remain within the Defence Forces; if he considers it to be more beneficial to the capacity of the Defence Forces if these personnel were retained within the forces, as their talents and experience will be lost if they are forced out of the forces due to the requirement of promotion to the rank of sergeant; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this claim has been with his Department for over one and a half years now and that it will start to impact in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13613/14]

Naval Service Vessels

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

837. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider purchasing an aircraft carrier to protect Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13857/14]

Health Services Staff

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

1049. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that those working as home help and being paid by the Health Service Executive are being paid 28 cents less per hour if they elect to be paid by cheque instead of having their wages transferred directly into their bank accounts; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are about 40 such persons in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13290/14]

Land Acquisition

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

1242. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 283 of 28 February 2014, if he will provide further clarification which identifies the party with whom CIE held the relevant land sale negotiations between 1994 and 2002; the volume of negotiation that occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13059/14]

Water Quality

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

5. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will ask Roscommon County Council to provide bottled water for the residents of the county as compensation for not being able to drink the council's supply for which the public pays through direct taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12211/14]

Information and Communications Technology

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

140. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 27 February 2014, the reason the Professional Development Service for Teachers (Technology in Education) is sanctioning the use and purchase of iPads by students, when a much cheaper and more useful tablet is available on which one can use Microsoft Office Applications and study for ECDL and many other computer courses, unlike the iPad, which is not compatible with the most common applications such as Word and Excel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11828/14]

School Textbooks Code of Practice

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

141. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 27 February 2014, the reason boards of management of schools are now being asked to involve themselves in curriculum matters such as decisions on the use of workbooks; his plans to involve them in other teaching or curriculum matters; if he will advise the way the matter is resolved, when the chosen policy of the board of management, in respect of workbooks, is opposed by the principal and teachers in that school; his views that, it is undesirable that the board of management should be put on a collision course with the teachers who will always choose the use of workbooks because it makes their own job easier but at huge cost to parents; his views that possession and use of good textbooks give a sense of ownership of the subject to students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11829/14]